Category: South Africa Government

Government has taken a pivotal step towards transforming water security in Limpopo with the commercial close of the first phase of the massive Olifants Management Model (OMM) programme.

The Badirammogo Water User Association (BWUA), a unique 50:50 public-private partnership representing both government and commercial partners, has successfully secured the R8.5 billion in funding required for Stage 1 of the OMM programme.

Government, through the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS), collaborated with commercial members including miners, the Infrastructure Fund and a consortium of commercial lenders to bring the programme to life.

“This landmark event marks a critical milestone for one of South Africa’s most significant water infrastructure projects, implemented by BWUA, paving the way for Stage 1 Financial Close and the commencement of construction on a programme designed to transform water security and drive economic growth in Limpopo,” a joint statement by the partners read.

The OMM programme is aimed at providing water to areas including the Sekhukhune District, Mogalakwena Local and Polokwane Local Municipalities in Limpopo.

“Stage 1 of the OMMP is valued at R8.5 billion and comprises the construction of critical bulk raw water pipelines, pump stations and associated water treatment works, and an energy solution.

“At completion, the full OMMP will deliver approximately 263 million cubic metres per day to commercial and institutional users by 2050.

“It is projected to provide potable water to approximately 140 communities – benefiting approximately 390 000 people, supply raw water to key mining and industrial users and create an estimated 42 000 direct, indirect and induced employment opportunities,” the statement concluded. – SAnews.gov.za

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The Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) is set to announce its new President and Vice-President for the 2025–2030 term. 

This announcement will take place during the inaugural meeting of the newly constituted Council on Friday evening in Sandton, Johannesburg. 

According to Section 7 of the Health Professions Act of 1974, Council members are required to elect the President and Vice-President from among themselves at this inaugural meeting.

This election follows the recent official inauguration of the 12 professional boards for the 2025–2030 term, which was completed through a national nomination and ministerial appointment process, as stated by the HPCSA.

Representatives of the new boards and appointees of the Minister will collectively form the new Council that will serve for the next five years.

The Minister of Health, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, will be in attendance at the Council’s Inaugural Gala Dinner this evening.

“The election of the President and Vice-President represents the final step in constituting Council for the new term, ensuring stable governance and continued fulfilment of the HPCSA’s legislative mandate to protect the public and guide the professions,” the advisory read. 

The HPCSA, along with its 12 professional boards, is established to oversee the education, training, and registration of health professionals as outlined by the Health Professions Act.
To protect the public and guide the professions, the Council ensures that practitioners maintain high professional and ethical standards. 

It also investigates complaints against practitioners and ensures that disciplinary actions are taken against those who do not comply with these standards. – SAnews.gov.za

 

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At least 800 National Road Traffic Law-Enforcement Officers, supported by various other law enforcement agencies, will be deployed throughout the festive season to monitor compliance with traffic regulations and maintain safety.

“We began the law enforcement operations in November at an intensified pace. It’s been a year-long campaign, and we have increased our efforts in November and December and will continue doing so through to the end of January,” Deputy Minister of Transport Mkhuleko Hlengwa said on Friday.

He was addressing members of the media during a law enforcement operation and festive season road safety activation along the Mooi River Toll Plaza on the N3 as part of a campaign to educate the public on road safety, focusing on behaviour change, enhanced law enforcement and 24-hour patrols in high-risk areas.

The Department of Transport has identified priority routes that include N1, N2, N3, N4, N17, as well as notorious secondary roads such as the Moloto Road. 

“We are here on the N3, which will remain one of our primary focus areas throughout the festive season as part of the top 20 priority routes identified across the country. 

“Truck drivers are often reckless and irresponsible in how they navigate traffic and manage the flow of movement towards Durban and back. We will be engaging with the Trucking Association next week so that we can develop joint messaging and improve interactions with truck drivers,” the Deputy Minister said.

The 365-day campaign is based on evidence gathered throughout the year, which shows that human error accounts for nine out of ten accidents. 

The law enforcement operations will also focus on bridges and weigh-in-motion assessments for all vehicles to prevent overloading and to ensure that trucks and public transport vehicles — including buses and taxis — do not travel long distances without inspection.

“Our message remains the same. We are asking drivers: please do not drink and drive. Please do not drink and walk or jaywalk.

“Forty-eight percent of our fatalities in the country are pedestrians. We remain deeply concerned about fatigue on the roads, especially during this period of long-distance travel. We urge motorists to rest every 200 kilometres or every two hours,” he said.

The department has established provincial operations across provinces and municipalities as part of an overall approach to share and pool resources for maximum consequence management. 

“We are working with civil society and the private sector as part of a joint national operation for road safety,” he said. 

The Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) has reported that in the first nine days of December, 213 fatal crashes were recorded resulting in 249 fatalities.

This accounts for a 30% decline for both fatal crashes and fatalities compared to the same period in 2024.

For the period ended 30 November 2025,  preliminary reports show crashes at 8 613 and the corresponding number of fatalities at 10 089. 

This is an improvement in comparison to the prior year, where fatal crashes for the period were 9 288 and fatalities were 10 878, this is a reduction of 7.3%. – SAnews.gov.za

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In an address marking Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Day 2025, Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi has examined South Africa’s healthcare system, challenging the current model of healthcare financing and advocating for transformative change.

“We are sick of unaffordable health costs,” Motsoaledi said in Pretoria on Friday, highlighting the day’s theme.

Universal Health Coverage Day advocates for urgent government efforts to implement UHC, ensuring that everyone can access quality healthcare services without facing financial hardship.

This global campaign is led by the UHC2030, which is a global, multi-stakeholder platform for accelerating sustainable progress towards UHC. It is hosted by the World Health Organisation (WHO), in collaboration with the World Bank and the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).

The Minister’s speech traced the historical transitions in healthcare, drawing on The Lancet’s analysis report of three critical epochs, including sanitation, vaccination, and now, UHC. 

“The Lancet says the third transition is on the horizon, and it will signify the time when people don’t have to pay cash for their healthcare needs.”

Motsoaledi said the financialisation of health referred to a growing influence of financial markets, investors, and corporate interests in the healthcare sector. 

“Nobody invests money without expecting profit. But should we do that with sick people,” he questioned.

The Minister shared examples of how financial motivations compromise healthcare, including an anecdote about an elderly patient being prepared for surgery without clear consent or medical necessity.

“Healthcare becomes unaffordable for poor and marginalised communities, exacerbating disparities and inequalities,” Motsoaledi said, adding that the current system prioritises profits over patient well-being.

NHI

The Minister said the solution is the National Health Insurance (NHI), which he described as “a strong global antidote to financialisation of health”.

South Africa has made significant progress toward achieving UHC with the introduction of the National Health Insurance (NHI). 

The NHI is based on the establishment of a single purchaser, the NHI Fund, which will acquire healthcare services from accredited and contracted providers in both the public and private sectors. 

This initiative aims to ensure that all citizens receive quality, affordable healthcare without facing financial hardship.

This is despite significant legal threats and challenges facing the implementation of the NHI Act, which is part of the country’s transformative agenda. 

He also spoke about a UHC model focusing on comprehensive care that particularly protects women and children, who are “the biggest losers in a financialised system.”

He also touched on South Africa’s potential to lead global healthcare transformation, drawing on the country’s successful HIV treatment campaign of 2010 as proof of what can be achieved when healthcare is prioritised over profit.

The Minister traced significant public health achievements, particularly in HIV/AIDS treatment, where maternal mortality rates dramatically decreased from 240 to just below 99 per 100 000 live births around 2019. 

He highlighted the affordability of a new HIV treatment, lenacapavir, initially priced at US$28 000 per person, now available for US$40 thanks to the Global Fund and other organisations.

South Africa plans to launch lenacapavir, a groundbreaking long-acting HIV prevention method, as early as March 2026.

“We are at the verge of eliminating HIV AIDS as a public health threat in our lifetime,” the Minister said. – SAnews.gov.za

 

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The North West Provincial Government (NWPG) will launch the Accelerated Service Delivery Programme in the Moses Kotane Local Municipality on Monday.

The programme which is also known as Thuntsha Lerole Reloaded, will be launched at Uitkyk village near Madikwe on 15 December 2025.

According to the NWPG, this will be the final segment of Thuntsha Lerole for the year, with the next rollout scheduled for January 2026.

Next week’s programme will benefit communities in Uitkyk, Brakuil, Madikwe, Koffiekraal, and Vrede villages.

Services will include the distribution of agricultural packages, food parcels, and tree-planting activities.

Healthcare awareness and promotion activities will be intensified as part of ongoing efforts to enhance public health education.

To restore road quality and support service delivery in rural areas of the local municipality, road blading will take place from Koffiekraal to Uitkyk and from Uitkyk to Madikwe.

In addition, the Clean Cities Campaign will be implemented to address waste management challenges and promote cleanliness in public spaces.

“All provincial government departments and state-owned entities will be on-site to render a range of essential services and address service-related queries from the community members,” the provincial government’s advisory read. 

The Moses Kotane Local Municipality is one of the 10 local municipalities prioritised for the implementation of Phase 5 of the Accelerated Service Delivery Programme, which is facing a backlog in road maintenance, which affects accessibility for rural residents. 

In addition, the municipality has limited access to proper sanitation in these areas, among other challenges.

The day’s programme will be led by Premier Lazarus Kagiso Mokgosi, who will be joined by the MECs, Mayors and local traditional leaders. – SAnews.gov.za
 

 

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Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen has honoured South African-born Achim von Arnim, a pioneer of Cap Classique and founder of Haute Cabrière.

The Minister described Von Arnim, who passed away on Monday at the age of 80, as someone who did far more than craft exceptional wines but shifted the trajectory of an entire industry.

“It is with great sadness that I learned of the passing of Achim von Arnim, a man whose name is woven into the story of South African wine,” the Minister said in a statement on Thursday.

With his curiosity, Steenhuisen said, Von Arnim’s uncompromising standards and unmistakable flair helped South Africa believe its sparkling wines could stand proudly among the world’s best.

“Many producers who have gone on to build their own legacies will quietly tell you that they learned their courage, their palate, or their sense of potential from Achim. Achim leaves behind a hole far larger than the vineyards he tended to or the cellars he had built.”

The Minister reflected on the community of winemakers, farm workers, restaurateurs and loyal customers who were shaped by Von Arnim’s generosity and irrepressible spirit. 

“Furthermore, he leaves behind memories shared around countless family tables where many a Sunday lunch across South Africa was made a little more special by opening a bottle of his iconic Haute Cabrière Chardonnay Pinot Noir.” 

On behalf of the Department of Agriculture, the Minister extended his sincere condolences to Von Arnim’s family, to the team at Haute Cabrière, and to all who walked part of their professional journey with him. 

“South Africa has lost a true legend; however, the imprint Achim von Arnim leaves on our wine culture will endure for generations.” 

According to Wine Magazine, after completing his studies at Geisenheim in Germany, Von Arnim joined Boschendal in the 1970s as a winemaker at the age of just 32, where he created South Africa’s first Blanc de Noir. 

The publication said he later became a founding member of the Cap Classique Association in 1992.

In retirement, Wine Magazine said Von Arnim remained in Franschhoek, dedicating his time to art, poetry and karate. 

The publication said he is survived by his wife, Hildegard, their four children – Takuan, Zoe, Tanja and Tamo – and their grandchildren. – SAnews.gov.za

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The Western Cape Mobility Department has expressed its support for the recent ruling by the Western Cape High Court regarding the case involving the MEC for Mobility and the Cape Amalgamated Taxi Association (CATA) and others.

The court’s decision on Wednesday has made permanent an earlier interim order aimed at reducing violence, intimidation, and illegal operations within the minibus taxi industry. 

The provincial department said the ruling was a significant step towards protecting commuters and restoring stability in the sector.

The legal action was initiated by Western Cape Mobility MEC Isaac Sileku earlier this year, due to ongoing conflicts between rival associations, CATA and the Cape Organisation for the Democratic Taxi Association (CODETA).

The disputes were particularly centred around the contested M18 route between Mfuleni and Somerset West.

“Despite attempts to mediate, violence escalated from June 2025 onward, leading to several fatalities and continued threats to public safety. A temporary interdict was granted in August 2025, but violent incidents persisted, including as recently as October.” 

The department said the court’s decision sent a clear message that the rule of law must prevail and the safety of commuters must come first. 

The department said associations were required to comply with all operating licence conditions, and failure to comply with this ruling would result in legal consequences.

“This order is a victory for every commuter who deserves to travel safely and without fear. Violence and lawlessness have no place in our transport system. We will continue to work with law enforcement and industry stakeholders to ensure that the rights of commuters are protected and that the taxi industry operates within the bounds of the law,” said Sileku.

He commended the legal team for their diligent work and reaffirmed their commitment to collaborating with all stakeholders to ensure a safe, reliable, and regulated public transport system.

“Together, we can build a mini-bus taxi industry that serves the people of the Western Cape with dignity and respect,” added Sileku. – SAnews.gov.za

 

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Two former apartheid-era police officers, who were convicted of the premeditated murder of Congress of South African Students (COSAS) member Caiphus Nyoka, will remain in custody pending judgment in their bail application.

Former Sergeant, Abraham Hercules Engelbrecht and former Sergeant Pieter Stander (60) were convicted of the 1987 murder of Nyoka earlier this month while a third accused, Major Leon Louis Van Den Berg, was acquitted.

“Following their conviction, the two applied for bail pending sentencing. In affidavits before the court, they claimed to suffer from various health conditions and stated that they are financial providers for their families.

“The state opposed their release, arguing that both men were convicted of a serious offence, they pose a flight risk, particularly Stander, who has previously worked outside South Africa and failed to fully disclose potential assets abroad, despite having worked in Iraq and Afghanistan since 2015,” National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana said on Thursday.

Nyoka – who was a prominent anti-apartheid activist and student leader – was killed in a hail of bullets in his family home in 1987.

“On the evening of 23 August 1987, Engelbrecht and Stander, both members of the Reaction Unit within the then South African Police, met to plan the killing of Nyoka.

“They devised a plan to raid his home. In the early hours of 24 August 1987, at approximately 02h30, Stander, Engelbrecht, and other Reaction Unit members [who are charged separately] arrived at Nyoka’s homestead and stormed his room. They found him sleeping with three friends. 

“After identifying Nyoka, they removed his friends from the room and proceeded to shoot him nine times. He died on the scene from multiple gunshot wounds,” Mahanjana said.

Judgement on the bail matter has been reserved while sentencing proceedings are to be heard in July 2026. – SAnews.gov.za

 

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Government has welcomed the latest Poverty Trends in South Africa report released by Statistics South Africa (Stats SA), which shows a significant decline in poverty levels over the past 17 years. 

“The findings mark an important step forward in the country’s ongoing efforts to reduce poverty, improve living conditions, and advance inclusive development,” the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) said on Thursday.

According to the report, the proportion of South Africans living below the Lower-Bound Poverty Line (LBPL) set at R1 300 per person per month in 2023 prices, has fallen to 37.9% in 2023. 

This represents a notable 19.6 percentage point reduction since 2006. 

The data further highlights that progress in reducing poverty has been most pronounced among black African and Coloured populations, reflecting the positive impact of targeted social and economic interventions.

The Stats SA report also highlights areas where continued focus is needed, including improving the economic conditions of women and addressing the emerging rise of poverty among White and Indian communities. 

It also reaffirms that the country is moving in the right direction and that sustained investment in social protection, job creation, education, and economic support measures is yielding tangible results.

“Government reiterates its commitment to working with all sectors of society to accelerate poverty reduction and broaden access to economic opportunities. Through coordinated policies and targeted programmes, the country will continue striving toward a more equitable and inclusive South Africa,” GCIS said.

Released on Thursday, the report is drawn from the Income & Expenditure Survey (IES) 2022/23. 

The report noted that the provinces of KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape, North West and Limpopo continue to experience the highest poverty headcounts, irrespective of the poverty line applied. 

“Collectively, these provinces where home to nearly 60% of South Africa’s poor in 2023, with KwaZulu-Natal alone accounting for about one in four. Western Cape and Gauteng remain the provinces with the lowest poverty rates in the country,” noted the report.
In addition, the report noted that Gauteng experienced a notable increase in its share of the poor between 2015 and 2023 and now accounts for about 20% of the country’s poor.

“Progress in reducing poverty has been most pronounced among black African and coloured populations. However, the report notes a slight increase in poverty rates among white and Indian/Asian groups between 2015 and 2023; though, their overall poverty share remains very small compared to black Africans who accounted for 93,6% of all poor persons in 2023”.

The report can be accessed on: https://www.statssa.gov.za/?page_id=1854&PPN=Report-03-10-06&SCH=74515. – SAnews.gov.za

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Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube has confirmed that two officials from the Department of Basic Education (DBE) have been suspended with immediate effect following a breach that saw matric exam papers leaked to learners in Pretoria.

Gwarube revealed the development during a media briefing on Thursday, saying the leak was detected through the system’s stringent marking processes. 

This year, over 900 000 candidates sat for the 2025 exams across 7 000 centres, supported by thousands of invigilators and more than 51 000 markers and moderators. 

“The National Senior Certificate (NSC) examination is one of the largest and most complex national undertakings in our democracy.  

“It is through our markers’ diligence that we were able to detect a breach in our exams. This morning, I want to inform the country that our systems worked exactly as they were designed to do: to detect, isolate, investigate and address any manipulation of the NSC exams,” the Minister said. 

How the breach was detected

Marking began on 1 December at 183 centres nationwide, and early in the process, markers in Gauteng picked up an anomaly in six English Home Language Paper 2 scripts.

“The Gauteng Department of Education officially alerted the national Department of Basic Education, on 02 December 2025, to an unusual similarity between the answers provided by a candidate with the answer provided in the marking guideline for English Home Language Paper 2,” she said. 

The Minister said a preliminary investigation confirmed the suspicion.

“The breach did not come to light through rumours. It was not discovered by chance. It was detected because markers… are equipped to know the difference between authentic learner responses and content that should only be accessible to markers,” she said. 

Extent of the leak

Gwarube said interviews with 26 learners revealed that they had gained access to question papers and marking guidelines prior to examinations. Investigators traced the material back to the DBE’s national office. 

“Of the 162 papers that we had set, only 3 subjects were accessed prior to the examination: English Home Language Papers 1, 2 and 3; Mathematics Papers 1 and 2; and Physical Sciences Papers 1 and 2,” she said. 

These papers were distributed through a USB device, with the leak confined to seven schools in one Pretoria area.

“Our systems are robust. They have allowed us to identify that the suspect involved is an employee of the Department of Basic Education who has a child in Grade 12. Evidence suggests that she received the question paper from another DBE employee who works within the examination unit,” the Minister said.

The Minister said that both staff members have since been suspended.

Independent investigation launched

To ensure full accountability, Gwarube announced the establishment of a National Investigative Task Team (NITT), which will begin work within 24 hours.

The NITT will include an independent chairperson; Umalusi; Universities South Africa; Teacher Unions; SAQA; DBE officials; and a private forensic investigator.

Its mandate includes confirming the source and spread of the breach, identifying all implicated learners, safeguarding the credibility of the 2025 NSC, and recommending measures to prevent future breaches. 

Additional processes including investigative marking, verification of scripts, interviews, statistical analysis, and correlation of exam marks with school-based assessments are being deployed.

Umalusi informed, results not affected

The Minister said that Umalusi has been formally notified and will receive both a preliminary and final report before results approval.

“We want to reassure the country that no results have been finalised; no certification processes have begun and a preliminary report will be provided to the National Examination Irregularities Committee on 29 December 2025, and the final report will be submitted to both the Minister and Umalusi on 31 December 2025,” she said.

The Minister will work with the team to study the report to ensure that the department is ready to announce the results on 12 January 2026. 

“Our investigations show that this incident was limited to a few individual learners in 7 schools. There is no evidence of systematic and widespread breaches and as such we don’t expect it to affect the credibility of the NSC,” she said. 

Zero tolerance for cheating

Gwarube said the exam system is designed with multiple layers of protection, including secure setting and printing; strict distribution protocols; locked storage; trained invigilators; multi-tiered marking by skilled markers; moderation and advanced statistical verification. 

“The fact that only a limited number of scripts triggered our alarms; that markers escalated their observations as per their training; and the system responded immediately and in full force, demonstrates that our system is functioning and able to address the matter immediately.

“This sends a clear message to the public – you cannot cheat the NSC system and get away with it. We will detect it; we will investigate it; and there will be consequences,” she said. 

The Minister further urged learners to uphold integrity. 

“Your matric certificate is a symbol of your effort, your resilience, and your integrity. When you cheat, you not only break the rules but you undermine your own future.”

The Minister assured that the department “will leave no stone unturned” and that criminal investigations are underway, with the South African Police Service notified of the possession of stolen state property.

“South Africa can rest assured that any cheating in the NSC examinations will be detected. Our systems are strong, our professionals are vigilant, and we will always act to protect the integrity of our national examinations,” she said.

Next steps for the affected learners and communities

Gwarube urged calm among parents and school communities in the affected Pretoria area, stressing that the department was moving decisively while ensuring fairness. 

She said the DBE would be communicating directly with the schools involved and confirmed that the staff members suspected of orchestrating the leak have been immediately suspended.

She added that implicated learners would not be prejudged. 

“Learners who are implicated will be afforded due process and treated in accordance with established prescripts. We are not making assumptions about guilt – each case will be individually assessed,” she said. 

“We follow a zero-tolerance approach to cheating in the NSC exams and are committed to supporting innocent learners who worked hard and played no part in this breach,” said the Minister. – SAnews.gov.za

 

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